Although Yoga Studios are reopening in places where COVID cases have declined, social distancing is still recommended. Starting a home practice allows you to keep experiencing the many benefits of Yoga no matter the external circumstances. Yoga has a long tradition of home practice and there are numerous online resources from which we can draw strength, inspiration, and even community.
If you’ve always wanted to try Yoga, now is the perfect time. Starting Yoga at home is totally possible with the guidance of online videos for beginners. Take a look at our complete Yoga for Beginners Guide for a quick introduction to the practice.
We all need the physical activity and mental calmness that yoga brings. We need to move our bodies and take a break from our thoughts, to boost our immune systems and stay present. We need our Yoga practices now more than ever.
That depends on a lot of variables. If you are in a place where gyms have reopened because the infection rate is low and you are not in a high-risk group, you may be able to attend a Yoga class. Make sure the studio is following best practices, including requiring masks, limiting class sizes, distancing mats, and disinfecting frequently. Outdoor classes are a good option where available. Home practice remains the safest choice.
Primarily, you need a Yoga mat. (Yes, we know we’re in the business of selling Yoga mats but it also happens to be true). Our Yoga mats are ideally suited to home practice because our unique alignment markings allow you to follow spoken alignment cues and self-correct your postures for the safest practice experience. (yes, we know we’re biased but this also happens to be true). Read our Alignment Guide to learn more. Other props that are useful for beginners and more experienced Yogis alike include blocks, straps, and blankets, but these can also be improvised from household objects you have on hand, like step-stools, belts or towels, and folded blankets.
Anywhere you can lay your mat can be a home practice space. Ideally, try to go into a room where you can close the door to minimise distractions. Turn off your phone ringer and prepare to focus only on your practice for the time you’ve allotted. Realistically, if you are at home with a family, you might not get the uninterrupted time you would prefer so be flexible (you can always pause a video if necessary) or try to include older children. Even a little mat time is better than none.
Check if your local studios are offering online streaming classes. This is a great way to support independent Yoga teachers and small local studios, which are extremely vulnerable in the current economic turmoil. If you want to see your studio survive, support them now. Check out our free portal for online Yoga classes hosted by some of our favourite teachers!
If this isn’t an option, take this opportunity to explore online Yoga video platforms. These operate on a monthly subscription model (around $15-$20 per month, on average) but usually offer a one to two week free trial period.
Videos are great because they provide structure, variety, and a predetermined amount of time. If you’d rather free-form it, put on your favourite music and start with some Sun Salutations and Standing Pose. Home practice also offers you the opportunity to work on your personal challenge poses, the ones that never seem to progress when you only work on them occasionally in class.
If you’ve done no Yoga (or very little) before, you can still start a home practice. Look for a beginners’ series of videos on any of the major online platforms.
As a mind/body practice that requires little in the way of space and equipment, Yoga is especially well-suited to being stuck at home. We all need to keep our bodies healthy and our minds calm during this time of uncertainty and change.
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